Everton’s right back Seamus Coleman is second in our 2017/18 player review series. Seamus Coleman unfortunately will not be at the World Cup in Russia later in the summer due to the Republic of Ireland not qualifying, But a break could be of benefit after a clustered period since returning from his long injury lay off this season.

Since joining in 2009, Seamus Coleman continues to impress fans with his skills and qualities on the pitch whilst still showing big doses of sheer determination week in week out. Along with Coleman’s big heart, his consistency has gone along way to placing him at the heart of most Evertonians. Consistency and ability aren’t the only traits that have become synonymous with Coleman over the years, the Irish international once more bounced back this season and once more instilled a degree of professionalism and pride back into Everton’s remaining games.

Overall season rating: 8/10

The Highlights

Coleman’s time on the sidelines during his injury this season must have been a tough experience for the Rep. of Ireland international. Watching Everton fall into turmoil on the pitch for a player like Seamus Coleman, who holds such pride and love for the club, would have motivated the full back to return to the side sooner rather than later. An instant impact was of course made when Seamus Coleman made a surprising start in the Blues 2-1 victory over Leicester city at Goodison park. Coleman was only expected to complete 60 minutes of the game, but managed to see out the full 90 minutes. The lift Coleman gave to the fans for the Leicester game was timely, on the back of a tough festive period for the toffees. Reports after the fullbacks return suggested he needed assistance to get changed, he was so fatigued.

An instant partnership seemed to become apparent on Coleman’s return to football. Theo Walcott was making his Goodison park debut after his transfer from Arsenal a few days earlier. Both Walcott and Coleman hit it off and provided some much needed brilliance down Everton’s flanks. The pair looked to be showing good signs of natural link-up play throughout the match against the foxes, almost as if it was an instant telepathy between the two of them. Although the impact was greater in the Leicester game, the pairs link up was also prominent in other such games like the 1-0 win over Newcastle and the goalless draw in Merseyside Derby.

The impact Coleman has had as an individual, however, has possibly been as significant as the signings of such players like the above mentioned Walcott or the promising Cenk Tosun. A lot is said for scoring goals and setting them up, but the respect that Coleman holds from his fellow team mates is such that those around him instantly up their own performances to try to emulate the fullbacks work ethic and composure in tough games. It’s maybe too far to say Coleman saved Everton’s season from the free fall it was in, but I’d happily admit without his leadership, work rate, desire and passion for the club as well as his defensive ability, this season could have been a whole lot worse.

Areas to improve

In as season hampered significantly by time on the sideline, it’s tough to fined reasonable areas for improvements without considering the time needed for Coleman to get his match legs back again. Looking before Coleman’s injury an area that he was bettering his showings in was his final ball into the box and overlapping the winger ahead of himself. In the 12 games Coleman has played this season, that progression has continued in small steps, certainly with the presence of Walcott and Bolasie as Seamie’s right sided partner.

Coleman may have lacked a little of his usual confidence to get forward as we have been so used to seeing. However, the steps he has taken to get himself back into the team has given him confidence in the defensive areas, something the team arguably needed more.

In numbers

Games played: 12

Minutes played: 945

Goals: 0

Assists: 1

Shots: 5

Summary

It was no surprise that Coleman has provided some much needed spark for Everton since being back from his injury, after all when will you find another player with his abilities for 60 grand?!

The timely return Seamus made back in January was huge for the moral and spirit of the squad. It was obvious to see that standards had slipped dramatically throughout Everton’s playing staff, but the up turn in attitude and application since Coleman’s return was significant and perhaps ensured Everton wouldn’t continue to sink down the Premier league table.

Even during his long injury lay off, Coleman was displaying his support for his fellow colleagues. When James McCarthy collided with West Brom’s Solomon Rondon, a tackle which broke McCarthy’s leg, Coleman instantly left his seat at Goodison park to comfort his fellow country and club player. A touch of class that would have echoed around European football had it have been say a Messi or a Ronaldo.

Next season will be one Coleman should be targeting as an opportunity to solidify the early connection he has made with Theo Walcott, allowing Everton to progress attacks in a wide area of the pitch. As fans we were exceptionally happy to have Seamus back after his horrendous double leg break and upon reflection, we’re even more elated to see there seems to be no long standing effects on the back of the injury. It might only have been a 12 game return for Coleman, but they were 12 games that proved his sheer importance to this club and the fans as well.

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